Bible moment
The Bible moment
In 1 Samuel 16:1–13, the LORD sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse’s sons. Samuel first sees Jesse’s older sons, but the LORD does not choose them. The LORD teaches Samuel that people look at outward appearance, while the LORD looks at the heart. David, Jesse’s youngest son, is brought in from tending the sheep. The LORD tells Samuel that David is the one. Samuel takes a horn of oil and anoints David among his brothers. The passage then says that the Spirit of the LORD comes powerfully upon David from that day onward. David does not immediately become king in this scene, and the account does not describe a public coronation.
Look closely
What children can notice
Samuel gently pours oil from a horn onto David’s head while David’s brothers stand nearby. The scene focuses on the meaningful moment when David is chosen and anointed among his brothers, with a respectful visual suggestion of the LORD’s Spirit coming powerfully upon him without speculative imagery.
Talk together
Talk about it
- What did Samuel learn about how God sees people?
- How can you be faithful in an ordinary responsibility?
For families, church, and class
Use this page
Use this page with 1 Samuel 16:1–13 in family devotions, Sunday school, church lessons, classrooms, or homeschool study. Invite children to notice the horn of oil, David’s brothers, and the difference between anointing and a public coronation. Keep the focus on God’s choice, God’s view of the heart, and the LORD’s Spirit coming upon David. Avoid adding later events from David’s life or invented dialogue.
Source note
From this passage
1 Samuel 16:13 · David Anointed
Samuel gently pours oil from a horn onto David’s head while David’s brothers stand nearby. The scene focuses on the meaningful moment when David is chosen and anointed among his brothers, with a respectful visual suggestion of the LORD’s Spirit coming powerfully upon him without speculative imagery.
